JP2011072458A - Drying machine and washing/drying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To dry not only synthetic fibers and blended clothing but also cotton products while exhausting new air from the air intake means into the air passage, reducing power consumption and reducing the amount of cooling water used. A machine or a washing dryer is provided.
An air passage for sending warm air to a rotary drum 29, a heating means 62 and an air blowing means 61, a drying device including a dehumidifying unit 5, and a drainage hose 9 for discharging water from an outer tub 20 are provided. When drying, in the dryer that circulates air in the order of the air blowing means 61, the heating means 62, the outer tub 20, the dehumidifying unit 5, and the air blowing means 61, the air in the space from the upper surface of the outer tub 20 to the housing 2 is sent to the air passage. The suction means 13 for sucking is provided in the air passage upstream of the air blowing means 61, and the air in the space with the casing 2 is sucked into the air passage from the upper surface of the outer tub 20 while the heating means 62 is energized during the drying operation. All or part of the air that has exited 29 is discharged from the drain hose 9 to the drain port 39.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a dryer or a washing dryer provided with means for drying clothes.

  Drying clothes using a dryer or a washing and drying machine that can perform washing to drying continuously creates high-temperature and low-humidity air with a blower fan and heat source, and blows it into the washing tub to raise the temperature of the clothes. This is done by evaporating moisture from the clothing and discharging the evaporated moisture out of the machine.

  As a method for removing the evaporated water, there are an exhaust system (outward supplying fresh air) as it is and a dehumidifying system (cooling the same air) that cools and condenses the evaporated water to remove the water. In addition, the dehumidification method includes an air cooling method and a water cooling method to condense the evaporated water.

  Only one of the exhaust method and the dehumidification method may be performed, but the air temperature or water-cooled dehumidification method is performed in the first half of the drying process, the ambient dry air is supplied in the second half, and the temperature after spraying the laundry. By switching from the dehumidification method to the exhaust method, in which the wind air is exhausted as it is, it becomes possible to shorten the drying time and to reduce the amount of water used and the power consumption.

  However, if the warm air is blown directly on the laundry, the time can be reduced and the amount of water used and power consumption can be reduced. Exhausting will worsen the indoor environment.

  Therefore, when switching to the exhaust system, it is possible to save energy without stopping the operation of the heating means and increasing the indoor temperature and humidity. There are Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 as conventional techniques related to this.

JP 2008-110135 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-128094

  In Patent Documents 1 and 2, a dryer capable of performing a drying operation in which the heating unit is stopped and new air is sucked into the air passage from the intake unit to reduce power consumption without exhausting high-humidity air into the room or A laundry dryer has been proposed, but since the heating means is stopped, the cotton product tends to dry poorly.

  Therefore, the present invention performs an exhaust system in which new air is sucked into the air passage from the intake means, and it is possible to dry not only synthetic fibers and blended clothing but also cotton products while reducing power consumption and cooling water usage. An object is to provide a simple dryer or a washing dryer.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an outer tub whose inside becomes a drying chamber at the time of drying, a rotating drum or an inner tub which is rotatably arranged in the outer tub and accommodates clothing, and the rotating drum or inner A motor that drives the tank, a housing that supports the rotating drum or the inner tank, an air passage for blowing warm air to the rotating drum or the inner tank, a heating unit and an air blowing unit, and a drying device including a dehumidifying unit, With a drainage hose that drains the water that comes out of the outer tub, and in a dryer that circulates air in the order of the blowing means, the heating means, the outer tub, the dehumidifying unit, and the blowing means during drying,
While providing the air intake means for sucking the air in the space with the housing from the upper surface of the outer tub into the air supply path in the air supply path upstream of the air supply means,
During the drying operation, the air in the space with the housing is sucked into the air passage from the upper surface of the outer tub while the heating means is operated, and all or a part of the air discharged from the rotating drum or the inner tub is sucked into the housing. Exhaust method to exhaust outside the body,
It has a dehumidification system that circulates in the order of the air blowing means, the heating means, the outer tub, the dehumidifying unit, and the air blowing means, and the exhaust system and the circulation system are switched during the drying operation.

  According to the present invention, by keeping the heating means in operation during the exhaust operation, not only synthetic fiber and mixed spinning, but also drying of cotton products can be improved. At this time, there is also a water saving effect because no cooling water is used. Also, it is possible to switch between the exhaust method and the dehumidification method, or both methods, and when the humidity of the outside air is high or the temperature is low, the air in the space with the housing is sucked into the air passage from the intake means. While the air is not circulated and dehumidified to prevent a decrease in drying efficiency, if the humidity of the outside air is low or the temperature is high, further shortening of the drying time and power consumption will depend on the humidity and temperature of the intake air. Reduction can also be achieved.

1 is a perspective view of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention during a drying operation by a dehumidifying method. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention during a drying operation by an exhaust method. This relates to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows operating states of a heater, a cooling water valve, and an intake valve in a drying process. The block diagram of the control apparatus of a washing / drying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The flowchart of the control processing program of a washing / drying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a humidity sensor is mounted and it is determined to perform an exhaust system. The flowchart of the control processing program of a washing dryer related to the 2nd example of the present invention is shown. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a washing and drying machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention when a temperature sensor is mounted and it is determined that an exhaust method is performed. The flowchart of the control processing program of a washing dryer related to the 3rd example of the present invention is shown. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention when a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor are mounted in the vicinity of an intake valve and it is determined to perform an exhaust system. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention when a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor are mounted in a control device and it is determined that an exhaust method is performed. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor are mounted and it is determined to perform an exhaust system. The flowchart of the control processing program of a washing dryer related to the 4th example of the present invention is shown.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this description, the case of a washing / drying machine having a washing function will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the washing function can be applied to a drying machine.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main body 500 of a washing / drying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. On the upper part of the base 1 of the main body 500, an outer frame 2 composed of a steel plate and a resin molded product is placed. The front side of the outer frame 2 is provided with a door 3 for loading and unloading the laundry 30, a front cover 22 and a back cover 23 on the back.

  FIG. 2 relates to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross-sectional view of the washing / drying machine when operating in a dehumidifying system. FIG. 3 relates to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross-sectional view of the washing / drying machine when operating in an exhaust mode. FIG. 4 relates to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the operating state of the heater, cooling water valve, and intake valve in the drying process, where (a) is the dehumidifying system, and (b) is the operating state of the exhaust system. Indicates.

  An outer tub 20 is provided inside the outer frame 2 of the main body 500. The outer tub 20 is supported by a plurality of lower suspensions 21. The rotating drum 29 inside the outer tub 20 has the laundry 30 put in with the door 3 opened, and the outer periphery of the opening of the rotating drum 29 reduces vibration due to unbalance of the laundry 30 during dehydration. A fluid balancer 31 is provided. A plurality of lifters 33 for lifting the laundry 30 are provided inside the rotary drum 29.

  The rotating drum 29 is directly connected to a drum driving motor 36 via a main shaft 35 connected to a rotating drum metal flange 34. A rubber packing 38 made of an elastic body is attached to the opening of the outer tub 20. The packing 38 serves to maintain the watertightness between the outer tub 20 and the door 3. This prevents water leakage during washing, rinsing and dehydration. The rotating drum 29 has a large number of small holes (not shown) for centrifugal dehydration and ventilation on the side wall. A drain port 37 opened in the bottom wall of the outer tub 20 is connected to the drain hose 9 via the drain valve 8.

  A drying device 6 including a dehumidifying duct 5 for drying the laundry 30 in the rotary drum 29, a fan 61 as a blowing means, and a heater 62 as a heating means is fixed to the outer frame 2 apart from the outer tub 20 (not shown). ing. The dehumidifying duct 5 and the ventilation port 32 are connected substantially horizontally by a flexible bellows 4, and the outlet of the heater 62 and the blowout nozzle 11 are located between the uppermost surface and the center of the outer tub 20 and from the center of the outer tub 20 to the front. A flexible bellows 7 is connected to the outer tank 20 at a position so as to absorb vibration of the outer tank 20. Temperature sensors (not shown) are provided at the drain port 37 and the intake and discharge ports of the fan 61.

  In the drum type washing and drying machine configured as described above, in the washing process, the laundry is put into the rotating drum 29, the water is supplied with the drain valve 8 closed, and the washing water is stored in the outer tub 20, and the rotating drum 29 is rotated to wash the laundry 30. Further, in the dehydration step, the drain valve 8 is opened to drain the washing water in the outer tub 20, and the rotary drum 29 is rotated to perform centrifugal dehydration.

  In the subsequent drying step, the rotary drum 29 is rotated with the drain valve 8 opened, the fan 61 is operated, the air in the outer tub 20 is sucked out from the air vent 32 and passes through the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 5, and the heater Heated at 62 to generate high-temperature and low-humidity tank air 12 that is blown from the blowing nozzle 11 toward the laundry 30 in the rotary drum 29.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, there are two methods for dehumidifying the in-tank air 12 that has been dehydrated from the laundry 30 in the rotary drum 29.

  In the case of the dehumidifying system, as shown in FIG. 4A, the cooling water valve (not shown) is opened from the middle of the drying process while the intake valve 13 is closed, and the water cooling dehumidification duct is opened from the cooling water supply pipe 51 of FIG. The cooling water 52 that has flowed out to the wall surface in 5 is caused to flow down and is dehumidified by being brought into contact with the air 12 in the tank. The cooling water 52 that has flowed to the wall surface in the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 5 passes through the drain port 37 and is discharged by the drain hose 9.

  In the case of the exhaust method, as shown in FIG. 4B, the intake valve 13 is opened as shown in FIG. 3 from the first half of the drying process (after completion of high-speed dehydration) while the heater is turned on. In this case, the cooling water valve (not shown) is kept closed. The external air 16 sucked from the gap under the base 1 becomes the housing internal air 14 by opening the intake valve 13 and is sucked into the fan 61. After that, the heater 62 is heated and sprayed from the blow nozzle 11 onto the laundry 30 in the rotary drum 29, moisture is taken away from the laundry 30, gets wet, passes through the drain hose 9 through the drain port 37, and seals the drain trap 10. It is broken and discharged to the drain port 39.

  After drying is completed, water is supplied to the drainage port 39 via the drainage hose while maintaining the pressure on the drainage hose 9 side to a predetermined level or more, so that the water trap of the drain trap 10 is recovered while suppressing the odor from the drainage port 39. To do.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the timing of opening the intake valve 13 in the case of the exhaust method is as shown in FIG. 4 (b) from the residual heat drying step after completion of the high speed dehydration. As shown in (c), it can be opened at various timings, such as after the efficient drying step of the middle plate, or after the second half reduction drying step as shown in (d) of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control device 138 of the washing / drying machine. A microcomputer 150 is connected to an operation button input circuit 151, a water level sensor 134, a temperature sensor 152, a humidity sensor 155, and the like connected to the switches 112, 113, and 113a. Receive various information signals at. The output from the microcomputer 150 is connected to a drive circuit 154 and connected to a water supply electromagnetic valve 116, a drain valve 8, a motor 36, a fan 61, a heater 62, an intake valve 13, a cooling water valve 19, and the like. Controls rotation and energization. Further, it is connected to a 7-segment light emitting diode display 114, a light emitting diode 156, and a buzzer 157 for notifying the user of the operating state of the washing machine.

  The microcomputer 150 is activated when the power switch 139 is pressed and the power is turned on, and executes a basic control processing program for washing and drying as shown in FIG.

Step S101
Check the status of the washer / dryer and make initial settings.

Step S102
The display 114 of the operation panel 106 is turned on, and a washing / drying course is set according to an instruction input from the operation button switch 113. When no instruction is input, the standard washing / drying course or the previous washing / drying course is automatically set.

Step S103
The process branches after monitoring the instruction input from the start switch 112 of the operation panel 106.

Step S104
Perform the laundry. Laundry is performed in the order of washing, intermediate dehydration, rinsing, and final dehydration. Since this is the same as a normal drum-type washing and drying machine, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

Step S105
The process branches after confirming whether the washing / drying course is set. When only the washing course is set, the driving is ended.

Step S106
When a washing / drying course is set, high-speed dehydration is performed.

Step S107
After completion of high-speed dehydration, a drying operation is performed. The fan 61 is rotated at a high speed, the heater 62 is energized, the forward and reverse rotation of the rotating drum 29 is repeated, and hot warm air is blown on the clothes while changing the position of the clothes in the rotating drum 29. The temperature of the entire clothing rises and moisture evaporates from the clothing.

Step S108
Simultaneously with step S107, the intake valve 13 is opened.

Step S109
The process branches after confirming whether the elapsed time since opening the intake valve has reached a specified time.

Step S110
The initial temperature of the drain outlet 37 at the lower part of the outer tub 20 is measured.

Step S111
The process branches after confirming whether the elapsed time from the start of drying has reached the specified time.

Step S112
The process branches after confirming whether the difference between the end temperature of the drainage port 37 and the initial temperature has reached a specified temperature.

Step S113
When the specified time has elapsed from the start of drying, or when the difference between the end temperature and the initial temperature is greater than the specified temperature, it is determined that the laundry has finished drying, the heater 62 is turned off, and the drain port While maintaining the pressure on the drain hose 9 side higher than the pressure on the side 39, the rotational speed of the fan 61 is lowered to a pressure level that does not break the water seal, the cooling water valve 19 is opened and the cooling water 52 is flown, and the drain trap 10 is sealed. To recover.

Step S114
The process branches after confirming whether or not the elapsed time after opening the cooling water valve 19 has reached a specified time.

Step S115
The process branches after confirming whether the pressure of the water level sensor 134 has reached a specified pressure.

Step S116
When the specified time has elapsed since the cooling water valve 19 was opened, or when the pressure of the water level sensor 134 has become larger than the specified pressure, it is determined that the water sealing of the drain trap 10 has been recovered, and the fan 61 is stopped. The motor 36 is stopped, the intake valve 13 is closed, the cooling water valve 19 is closed, and the drying process is completed.

  The washing / drying machine configured as described above can reduce power consumption by drying using the dry external air 16 sucked from the intake valve 13, and can be dried without using any cooling water. Can also be obtained.

  Here, when 2 kg of clothing is dried by the exhaust method under the conditions of a temperature of 20 ± 2 ° C. and a humidity of 65 ± 5%, compared with the dehumidification method, the cooling power is not used at all, and the entire power consumption of the drying process Can be reduced by about 10%.

  In the case of 4 kg, the power consumption is the same level for both the exhaust method and the dehumidification method, but the use of the cooling water amount is not used at all in the case of the exhaust method, so a water saving effect is obtained.

  Another embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 relates to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross-sectional view of a washing and drying machine in a drying process. A duplicate description of the configuration common to the first embodiment is omitted.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that a humidity sensor 155 is provided in the vicinity of the suction port of the intake valve 13 provided on the upstream side of the fan 61. Accordingly, the humidity of the outside air to be sucked in is detected, and when the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity, the dehumidifying method is dried while the intake valve 13 is closed, and when the humidity is low, the exhaust method is performed by opening the intake valve 13. Thus, by performing drying according to the condition of the outside air, it is possible to perform efficient drying, shorten the time required for the drying process, and reduce power consumption.

  The predetermined value for switching to the exhaust system is preferably around 65 to 70% humidity. The lower the humidity of the external air 16 to be taken in, the more the drying is promoted. Therefore, it is better to set the predetermined value lower. However, if the value is too low, there is a problem that the exhaust system is not used at all in the summer when the humidity is high. The possibility of doing this is taken into consideration.

  FIG. 8 relates to the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a flowchart of a control processing program of the washing / drying machine. The humidity may be detected only in the initial stage of the drying process and determined as either the dehumidification method or the exhaust method. However, it is more preferable to perform the detection also during the process and switch appropriately.

  Another embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 relates to a third embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine in a drying process. A duplicate description of the configuration common to the first and second embodiments is omitted.

  The difference from the first and second embodiments is that an outside air temperature measuring temperature sensor 158 is provided in the vicinity of the suction port of the intake valve 13 provided on the upstream side of the fan 61. Thus, the temperature of the outside air to be sucked in is detected, and when the temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, the intake valve 13 is closed and the dehumidifying method is dried, and when the temperature is high, the exhaust method is dried to open the intake valve 13. Thus, efficient drying can be performed by performing drying according to the condition of the outside air, and the time required for the drying process can be shortened and the power consumption can be reduced.

  The predetermined value for switching to the exhaust system is desirably a temperature of 11 ° C. or higher. The higher the temperature of the external air 16 to be taken in, the more the drying is promoted. Therefore, it is better to set the predetermined value higher. However, if the value is too high, there is a problem that the exhaust system is not used at all in the winter when the temperature is low. The possibility of doing this is taken into consideration.

  FIG. 10 relates to a third embodiment of the present invention, and shows a flowchart of a washing / drying machine control processing program. The temperature may be detected only in the initial stage of the drying process and determined by either the dehumidification method or the exhaust method. However, it is more preferable that the detection is performed during the process and switched appropriately.

  Another embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 11 relates to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and shows a cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine in a drying process. A duplicate description of the configuration common to the first and second embodiments is omitted.

  The difference from the first, second, and third embodiments is that both the humidity sensor 155 and the outside air temperature measuring temperature sensor 158 are installed in the vicinity of the suction port of the intake valve 13 provided upstream of the fan 61. It is. Accordingly, by detecting both the humidity and temperature of the air 15 inside the housing, it is possible to respond finely, select an appropriate method of either the exhaust method or the dehumidification method, shorten the time required for the drying process, and consume power Can be reduced.

  The installation location of the humidity sensor 155 and the temperature sensor 158 for measuring the outside air temperature is not limited to the vicinity of the intake port of the intake valve 13 shown in FIG. 11, but also inside the control device 138 as shown in FIG. Thus, a location suitable for measuring the external air 16 may be used. The advantage of installing in the control device 138 is that it is cheaper than other installations, and the advantage of installing it in a place suitable for measuring the external air 16 is to take in for exhausting. It is possible to grasp the humidity and temperature of the external air 16 more accurately.

  FIG. 14 relates to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and shows a flowchart of a washing / drying machine control processing program. The humidity and temperature may be detected only in the initial stage of the drying process and determined as either the dehumidifying system or the exhaust system. However, it is more preferable to perform the detection also in the process and switch appropriately.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2 Outer frame 3 Door 4, 7 Bellows 5 Dehumidification duct 6 Drying device 8 Drain valve 9 Drain hose 10 Drain trap 11 Blowing nozzle 12 Air in tank 13 Intake valve 14, 15 Housing internal air 16 External air 20 Outer tank 21 Suspension 22 Front cover 23 Back cover 29 Rotating drum 30 Laundry 31 Fluid balancer 32 Ventilation port 33 Lifter 34 Flange 35 Main shaft 36 Drum drive motor 37, 39 Drain port 38 Packing 61 Fan 62 Heater 116 Water supply solenoid valve 155 Humidity sensor 158 Outside Temperature sensor 500 for temperature measurement

Claims (6)

An outer tub whose inside becomes a drying chamber at the time of drying, a rotating drum or an inner tub that is rotatably arranged in the outer tub, and stores clothes, a motor that drives the rotating drum or the inner tub, and the rotating drum or A housing that supports the inner tub, an air passage for blowing warm air to the rotating drum or the inner tub, a heating device and an air blasting device, a drying device including a dehumidifying unit, and a drain hose that discharges water from the outer tub In a dryer that circulates air in the order of the air blowing means, the heating means, the outer tub, the dehumidifying unit, and the air blowing means during drying,
While providing the air intake means for sucking the air in the space with the housing from the upper surface of the outer tub into the air supply path in the air supply path upstream of the air supply means,
During the drying operation, the air in the space with the housing is sucked into the air passage from the upper surface of the outer tub while the heating means is operated, and all or a part of the air discharged from the rotating drum or the inner tub is sucked into the housing. Exhaust method to exhaust outside the body,
A dryer having a dehumidifying system that circulates in the order of the blowing means, the heating means, the outer tub, the dehumidifying unit, and the blowing means, and switching between the exhaust method and the circulating method during the drying operation. . In claim 1,
A dryer characterized in that the humidity around the main body is detected by a humidity sensor, and the dehumidification method is performed when the humidity is higher than a predetermined humidity, and the exhaust method is performed when the humidity is lower than the predetermined humidity. In claim 1,
A temperature sensor detects the temperature around the main body, and when the temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, performs a dehumidifying drying operation, and when the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, performs an exhausting drying operation. Machine. In claim 1,
A dryer characterized by detecting humidity and temperature around the main body with a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor, and performing either a dehumidification method or an exhaust method. In claim 2, 3 or 4,
When performing a dehumidifying drying operation, cooling water is supplied to the dehumidifying section after a specified time from the start of the drying operation, and when performing an exhausting drying operation, cooling water is not supplied. Dryer. An outer tub whose inside becomes a drying chamber at the time of drying, a rotating drum or an inner tub that is rotatably arranged in the outer tub, and stores clothes, a motor that drives the rotating drum or the inner tub, and the rotating drum or A housing that supports the inner tub, an air passage for blowing warm air to the rotating drum or the inner tub, a heating device and an air blasting device, a drying device including a dehumidifying unit, and a drain hose that discharges water from the outer tub In the washing and drying machine in which air is circulated in the order of the air blowing means, the heating means, the outer tub, the dehumidifying unit, and the air blowing means at the time of drying,
While providing the air intake means for sucking the air in the space with the housing from the upper surface of the outer tub into the air supply path in the air supply path upstream of the air supply means,
During the drying operation, the air in the space with the housing is sucked into the air passage from the upper surface of the outer tub while the heating means is operated, and all or a part of the air discharged from the rotating drum or the inner tub is sucked into the housing. Exhaust method to exhaust outside the body,
Washing and drying characterized by having a dehumidifying system that circulates in the order of the air blowing means, the heating means, the outer tub, the dehumidifying unit, and the air blowing means, and switching between the exhaust method and the circulation method during the drying operation. Machine.

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